Australia’s regional wastewater treatment landscape presents unique challenges and opportunities. Nearly 70% of wastewater treatment plants service communities of fewer than 5,000 equivalent persons (EP). These systems operate under vastly different conditions compared to their metropolitan counterparts. The limited resources that come with a smaller customer base typically restrict the use of mechanically complex or operator intensive treatment technologies, with more emphasis on biologically driven solutions and technologies that are self-sufficient or can be managed remotely or intermittently.
This 18-hour course is designed to teach the key scientific and process engineering fundamentals which underpin regional wastewater treatment processes and is suitable for engineers, scientists, managers and other water professionals without an existing technical background.
The course combines fundamental explanations with real-world case studies, guided workshops, and expert-led sessions to explore the technologies, biological principles, and operational strategies that make regional systems both effective and sustainable.
What you’ll learn
- Regional treatment context
- Understand the distribution, scale, and operational constraints of regional wastewater systems.
- Core treatment technologies
Dive into the basic design and function of key systems including:- Waste stabilisation ponds
- Anaerobic treatment processes
- In-vessel technologies, including trickling filters, septic systems and packaged treatment plants
- Emerging “green” technologies tailored for regional applications
- Process challenges and solutions
Examine common issues with process operation and learn troubleshooting strategies. - Managing the by-products of wastewater treatment
Explore issues such as water recycling, contaminant monitoring and biosolids management. - Industry case studies
Learn from real operational experiences and problem-solving strategies used across regional Australia.
Why attend?
- Learn from leading practitioners in wastewater treatment
- Gain access to exclusive training materials and downloadable course notes
- Participate in interactive workshops based on real industry challenges
- Build a strong foundation in biologically complex but mechanically simple treatment systems
Who should attend?
This course is ideal for:
- Environmental, chemical and civil engineers
- Water scientists and researchers
- Utility managers and technical staff
- Anyone seeking a comprehensive foundation to regional wastewater treatment